After another early playoff exit and firing of head coach Doc Rivers, point guard James Harden is still weighing his options regarding his future with the Philadelphia 76ers.
However, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins warned MVP Joel Embiid this week that if Harden returns, he must look for a way out of Philly.
“If James Harden comes back, you need to get out,” Perkins said.
Embiid was alleged to have beenI was shockedfired Rivers, hinting that team president Daryl Morey and the rest of the Sixers hadn’t consulted with him beforehand.
Leaving Embiid out of the decision, along with the long-running relationship between Morey and Harden, Perkins said, is a sign that the team may be pushing their best player to the side.
“I was just shocked. How can you fire a coach without talking to your best player, your best player?” Perkins said. “You know why? Because you’re not his priority, James Harden.”
Returning to Philadelphia for Harden is not a sure thing. According to insiders Chris HaynesHarden plans to turn down his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 season and is seeking a four-year deal on a “competitive list”.
On Wednesday, Morey told reporters that the Sixers wanted to sign Harden to a long-term deal. If Harden decides to go elsewhere, Morey said the team will “Get more creativeAlthough he added that bringing Harden back is “Scenario A”.
Harden took a pay cut last season, allowing Philly cap flexibility to add pieces, and it’s unlikely he’ll do the same this time around. Rumors persisted of Harden returning to the Houston Rockets, which would make for an interesting offseason in Philly.